Friday, July 8, 2011

Malaysian food and a party for my Nan!

Welcome dear friends! I don't know about you but I can't quite believe that it is already Friday! I also can't believe that the school holidays are nearly over and my kids will be back at school next week. Their three week holiday has just flown by. We have had a really relaxing break. We went to the beach, met up with family and friends and we did lots of baking.

I'm pretty sure Nan had a wonderful time being surrounded by her family, including her 6 Great-grandchildren!

My mum's family lived in Malaysia and Singapore for much of their life (my nan is Eurasian-her mother was Sri Lankan and her Father was Welsh) so when we all get together to have family parties the focus is always on food, or as the Malays call it, Makan. The Malays and Singaporeans place great importance on eating and sharing food.

My mum made a variety of Malaysian dishes for the party including Chicken with Soy Sauce, Pork Curry and prawn Sambal.

Sambal Udang or prawn sambal is a very popular Malaysian dish and there are many different recipes available.

Nyonya cuisine refers to cuisine of the Peranakan or Straits Chinese community. Peranakans are descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Melaka, Indonesia and Singapore, inter-marrying with Malays. Nyonya is the term for the ladies and Baba for the gentlemen. The cuisine blends a taste of Chinese with a dash of Malay herbs and Indian spices.

Penang Nyonya cuisine differs to Melaka Nyonya cuisine. Although both use coconut milk and chillies, Penang Nyonyas prefer a sweet-sour or tangy taste with nuances of Thai and the Nyonyas in Melaka enhance their dishes with the aroma of fragrant leaves, flowers and herbs.

Nyonya's love their prawns either cooked in tamarind called Assam Prawns or spicy creamy udang. My mum made a very spicy sambal and the recipe in the video below shows exactly how she made it.

This really is a hot and spicy dish but it is so delicious. Even Mr Attorney who doesn't normally like spicy food had three helpings...with lots of water!

To make the sambal, soak the dried chili pieces with boiling water until they are soften. Drain the chilies and make sure to get rid of the seeds. Then combine it with red chilies, shallots, candlenuts, shrimp paste and blend until they become a paste adding a little oil if necessary to keep the mixture turning.

Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat and stir fry the seasoning paste until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the prawns and stir-fry until they change colour, about 2 minutes. Add the tamarind juice, onion, tomato, salt and sugar, and gently stir-fry until the prawns are cooked, about 2 minutes.
Add the prawns into the sambal mixture and cook until the prawns are cooked.

Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with coriander leaves and serve with steamed rice.

The chicken dish she made is called Ayam Masak Kecap in Malay and it is our favourite way of eating chicken.

35 comments:

Isn't family wonderful!! Happy Birthday to your Nan! I know its traditional to say "omg, she doesn't look her age" but... its true... I looked at the pics and thought.. my gosh... Nan could be 40! She is beautiful and makes the term 80 is the new 60 seem really valid... go Nan!!!!!

What an interesting and lovely post, Natasha. Your Nan barely looks 80!! How wonderful to have such a great family get together! I can tell by all of the smiles that it was loads of fun!! Thanks for sharing your pictures and the recipes!!

Hi Natasha. Thank you so much for letting us all share in with your Nan's 80th birthday party! Gosh, we said it before, but she really does look fantastic for her age! I agree that your daughter looks so much like you, but I can see the likenesses right from your nan down through the family. Wonderful photos, but I particularly loved the first one of the beach, and the one of your Nan with all the family and the one of your Nan with her 6 GREAT Grandchildren! Looks like everyone had a lovely time. Warmest wishes to you.

Happy Birthday to your dearest Nan...one lovely woman!I love your post.My family lives in Singapore and my husband's sister lives in Malaysia.You have a wonderful family and as I read your post..the warmth and love is really overwhelming.Your blog is so peaceful and homely.Have a great weekend and looking forward to hear from you again.

Natasha! How lovely to meet you! Isn't it funny, that we get to meet via a recipe linky party in the USA? I love Roz's blog. And by the looks of it, I'm going to love yours. I love Malaysian food. I'll be definitely trying that Prawn Sambal recipe. I know exactly where your 'beach photo' was taken. I'm over in the Redlands. So nice of you to stop by. Hope we can stay in touch.

By the way, this is the easiest Melting Moment/Custard Cream recipe I've ever used. They don't have to be that complicated. Just 4 ingredients and you're done.

Hey Natasha, Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving that beautiful comment :) Glad to find your blog too. Your Nan is so cute .. i miss my Nan . she passed away few months back. Have a happy weekend.

Hi Natasha! Happy Birthday to your Nan! 80 years old? she doesn't look it at all! The food looks wonderful and how nice to spend this special day with family!Hope you're doing well.Be a sweetie,Shelia :)

Natasha, What a beautiful grandmother you have... and at 80! Happy Birthday, Nan!I loved reading all about your Nan and your family and your cooking traditions.I would love to try this prawn recipe, I just have to find some of the ingredients.Thank you so much for sharing your family celebration and for the wonderful recipe. You bring a new and exciting culinary experience to ON THE MENU MONDAY!Yvonne

Natasha, your grandmother is so beautiful and looks so young -- congrats to her! Thank you for your sweet comment about my painted dry sink project... and i'm looking forward to reading about those delicious muffins!

"There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound." ~Diana CortesThank you for visiting, dear friend.

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My main blog, www.natashainoz.com is about my life and home in Australia. I share decorating ideas, recipes, styling tips and all things beautiful. I also have an education blog, Educator in Oz, where I share resources, ideas and observations. Please visit soon!

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